When I started my trip with Cancer I was told by my doctor that it is highly recommended that I get a tracheotomy in place in case the tumor grows during radiation. At first, I was doubtful about it until I saw it on camera how big the tumor was in my throat which was all the convincing I needed. My cancer had grown to such an extent that it covered half of my airway.
Getting the trach in place was no fun. Previously, I wrote how they had to stick a tube down my throat first. Well, this tube pretty much blocked all of my airway so for a few seconds I couldn’t breathe, but I remember that once it was in place that I would be knocked out which is exactly what happened. I remembered that I tried to relax and wait for them to knock me out. The initial size of the trach was a size 6, which is pretty big.
Now the issue with the trach is that it interferes with the swallowing function, not a whole lot but it does interfere. Having a size 6 trach is also very uncomfortable so I was happy when it was downgraded to a size 4. Size 4 trach is the smallest trach size and I was happy for it. It wasn’t as bothersome to swallow with it on but I knew it was there. Now the joy of having a trach is that I can open it up while I was sleeping and it was an easy cure for my sleep apnea. You talk about some of the best sleep I received. However, in order to take the trach out, I had to show that I have kept it capped for at least 2 weeks. So much for good sleep.
When they took the trach out, the doctors told me that it will close up on its on naturally. I was given special gauze and tape to place over the hole and every time I coughed, sneezed, drank, eat, or talk, I had to apply pressure on the outside so that air won’t escape from the hole. Sometimes I was successful and other times I wasn’t, it was difficult to find the hole as it was shrinking.
Earlier this week, I just felt like the hole in my neck had closed up. And sure enough, today as we changed out bandages, it has. I tried breathing out of it by holding my breathe to no effect. However, it still looked a little raw so we still placed a bandage over it just to allow it to heal more.
I am so grateful for this event. It means my body is healing one step at a time. Next is my ability to eat more food and be cancer free. As always, I am grateful for your prayers, good thoughts and kind words.
